About the Initiative

Professor Tim McKay created the Practical Learning Analytics MOOC to address the typical challenges faculty, staff, administrators and students face to gather, access and analyze data in direct, practical ways. This course builds upon previous learning analytics successes at U-M and provides a framework for learners to gather and understand data in order to make more informed choices to improve learning. The course emphasizes analytical approaches that anyone can take and provides students with real sample data and code to help facilitate analysis. Learners are able to choose one or more of five tracks to follow within the course, and can dive into those tracks at either a high or deep level, engaging with the material as best fits their needs. Additionally, this is the first U-M MOOC to place group participation and dialogue as the ideal model for participation. This unique learning model facilitates student autonomy while encouraging exploration of content through group discussion and peer insights, enhancing learning for residential and global lifelong learners.